“I believe that AI will be so seamlessly integrated into our lives that we won’t even notice it,” says Kalin Dimtchev, Country Manager of Microsoft Bulgaria and General Manager of Microsoft for the Adriatic region, whose expertise we seek regarding the challenges posed by artificial intelligence.
In an interview with “Trud News” he reveals why saving just 11 minutes a day is the magical number and what will happen to the job market in our country. AI will create new jobs and roles as innovations advance. It is extremely important to adapt and take full advantage of this, says Dimtchev. But how? The General Manager’s answers follow.
Mr. Dimtchev, does artificial intelligence (AI) give more questions or more answers to date?
Humanity has experienced many advancements throughout its history, and we’ve always questioned it – it is human nature to question, challenge and analyse – I believe it is our great quality as we can progress only by trialing and erroring, till we find the best model. Artificial intelligence is not so new, we’ve been using it for some time now, maybe even without knowing that we use it – for example, in driving applications. In the past year AI emerged as a pivotal player in this new era of innovation, marked with the rapid pace of technological advancement. AI has already proven transformative across industries, automating processes and offering predictive insights. With the advancements in the field of Generative AI, this power expands further, enabling creation of new content, generate fresh insights, and drive product innovation. For businesses striving to remain competitive, GenAI’s capabilities are crucial.
It is up to company leaders to recognize AI’s industry-redefining potential, while simultaneously fostering a culture of experimentation, learning, and reskilling to harness its benefits. I believe more and more questions on AI will arise as it continues to change how we work and live, but I think we should be open for change and instead of be frightened of a widespread job loss, we should look at the bigger picture: as technology evolves, it will also create new sectors and roles. So, the real challenge is for industries and people to adapt to this shift.
Which professions benefit the most from artificial intelligence?
We’ve conducted a survey in Microsoft to find out which professions benefit the most from AI at the moment. We’ve asked the employees to estimate how much time they save with Copilot. At the forefront are employees from cybersecurity, product development, sales, tech support, marketing and public relations.
In the cybersecurity area, cyber threats are constantly growing, asking for constant attention and prompt reactions. AI helps by analysing lots of data, spotting patterns and finding problems in real-time, letting cybersecurity experts to focus on planning and reacting to threats faster. In Sales AI assists by quickly analysing customer data and personalizing emails, helping salespeople to focus on important tasks and spend more time building relationships with potential customers. Customer service agents use AI to streamline interactions, resolve inquiries more efficiently, and improve overall customer satisfaction. The companies that have implemented AI chatbots say that it efficiently handles routine inquiries, therefore freeing up agents for complex cases. In Marketing and PR, AI helps find new trends and opportunities by analysing large amounts of data. AI also shows how stories are received in the media, saving time and letting PR professionals focus on their creative work, ensuring the final product has a human touch.
Which professions are on the other side of the spectrum – could benefit from AI, but not using it much yet?
Let me take an example of AI-powered assistant. Today people can choose from several AI assistants that work as our personal assistants, understanding the requirements of our job. I’m using Microsoft’s AI assistant Microsoft 365 Copilot, and it helps me daily – it summarizes my meetings, extracts action items, summarizes my emails, can help me draft a document or email, even a presentation, including visual elements. It can also help me to search for information, as it is connected to all my Microsoft 365 applications that I daily use.
To put it shortly, by taking over some tasks it saves me time – and I can use that time for tasks that need my undivided attention, analysis or creativity. We are all overwhelmed by daily work and could benefit from additional time provided by AI – so all professions can benefit from it.
In Microsoft we prepare an annual Work Trend Index, report on the current state of modern work. Its latest edition has shown that 3 out of 4 people already use AI at work. While employees find AI boosts productivity and creativity, they often bring their own AI tools due to a lack of organizational support, raising data security concerns. Organizations should prioritize offering its AI tools to the employees, as well as to skill them and train them – as this is the right approach to organization’s overall security. AI can equally benefit to organizations of all sizes and it shouldn’t be perceived as a technology for large businesses only.
Do you have data on how things are developing in Bulgaria and Bulgarian business – is it “opening up” to AI and how?
Bulgarian businesses see the benefits of AI and implement AI to upgrade its operations, we are seeing more and more examples of successful AI application. For example, Ikea Bulgaria introduced AI chatbot Sofia based on Microsoft’s OpenAI GPT-4 technology; Sofia helps customers through their entire consumer journey, from searching for products to responses to queries. The Bulgarian office of Paysafe, a global payments platform supporting 260 payment types in over 40 currencies, facilitated its daily operations by implementing Microsoft 365 Copilot. Processes enabling quick and efficient payment include multiple languages, handling complex documents and variety of information, so Copilot saves lots of time. They also use it for meeting summaries, easier information search and documents creation. Soon Microsoft 365 Copilot will be available in Bulgarian language and I believe it will encourage even more Bulgarian companies and organizations to adopt AI technologies.
Kalin Dimchev, Country Manager of Microsoft Bulgaria and General Manager of Microsoft for the Adriatic region
How many minutes of work per day can AI save us and can it replace us?
How much time AI can save us depends on the type of work we do. It has shown that, for example, people whose jobs include working with large volumes of data, can significantly benefit from using AI-powered tools. We in Microsoft asked ourselves a different question – how much time-savings are needed for people to start perceiving AI tools as useful and beneficial. We did a survey among first Copilot users to find out how AI impacts their productivity. It has shown that time savings of just 11 minutes a day was the magic number where users started to see value from AI. Most people actually saved more time each day, but 11 minutes was that breaking point where they started developing a habit of using AI.
I think AI can’t replace us. Artificial intelligence is here to augment our capabilities, not to replace them. I believe that nothing can replace human ingenuity or creativity. Yes, AI will change the labour market, but it will also create new jobs and roles as innovations progress. It is crucial for us to adjust and get the best of it.
In which areas will new technologies improve our lives the fastest and most effectively – share with us the latest AI advancements, for example those in healthcare?
New technologies, particularly advancements in AI, are set to improve our lives rapidly and effectively across various sectors. As we enter the age of copilots, we want to empower every person and every organization across every role and business function with access to this technology. AI copilots are changing how people search on the internet, shop, code, prepare for job interviews, improve their gaming skills, find inspiration for creative ideas, and create beautiful documents and images. Imagine if 8 billion people always had access to a personalized tutor, a doctor that provided them with medical guidance, a mentor that gave advice for anything they needed.
In healthcare, AI is revolutionizing diagnostics, enabling earlier and more accurate detection of diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular conditions through advanced imaging analysis. Personalized treatment plans are becoming a reality as AI analyzes vast datasets to tailor therapies to individual patients, optimizing outcomes while reducing side effects. In drug discovery, AI is accelerating the development of new medications, cutting costs and time to market. Surgical procedures are also benefiting from AI-powered robotic systems that enhance precision and safety. AI is transforming transportation through autonomous vehicles and smart traffic systems, improving road safety and reducing congestion. These are just some examples as AI transforms all the industries.
In what way should the “Digital Backpack” be upgraded and in what way can we constructively use digital devices in class, because the controversy surrounding their ban is relevant again?
Digital Backpack is a valuable learning platform that supports various teaching models – remote, in-person and hybrid. It has a forward-looking architecture that allows the system to expand its functionalities by adding new modules and technologies, so can be upgraded to include new technology tools and technologies like artificial intelligence. Of course, how it will be upgraded depends primarily on needs of our educational system, but I do believe that in the future it will include more AI-powered tools that enhance learning.
Microsoft already offers many free AI tools for education. Our AI assistant Copilot is available for free for teachers and students. Students aged 13 and above can use GitHub Copilot for free while learning how to code, as it will not only give code suggestions, but also answer questions and direct their skilling. Minecraft Education Edition is widely used around the world for students to build AI literacy, as they explore how AI can help us to solve real-world problems.
Two years ago, with the support of Telelink Business Services, we’ve opened a free STEAM education hub Dream Space, that hosted thousands of students who had a chance to enhance their STEAM skills and computational skills. In Dream Space, students use innovative, fascinating, and fun technologies such as virtual reality and I think this is the right way to go – to enable kids to master skills for the future in fun and inspiring environment.
Will we reach a point in the future when we cannot imagine our lives without AI or will we want to give it up?
Can you imagine living without Internet or a mobile phone today? I think it is similar with AI, it is already integrated in our daily routines. When opening a navigation app, we don’t think is it AI-enabled. Or when scrolling to find some interesting content on Netflix – it is also suggested by AI based on our preferences.
Today AI powers personal assistants, voice assistants and smart home devices, helps doctors to provide better diagnostics, saves time to employees – and changes the way we do business across the industries. I believe that in the future AI will be so seamlessly integrated in our lifes that we won’t be even noticing it.
However, it is on us all to define how we choose to develop and regulate AI. We should be mindful and use AI responsibly. If doing so, we can expect it to enhance our capabilities, leading to a future where humans and AI work together harmoniously.
How far behind are we in the preparation and implementation of ethics-related legislation and regulations?
Europe is at the forefront of regulating the AI. The AI Act is the first comprehensive regulation on AI by a major regulator anywhere. The AI Office has been established end of May and it plays a key role in the implementation of the AI Act, especially in relation to general-purpose AI models, foster research and innovation in trustworthy AI and position the EU as a leader in international discussions.
Microsoft is committed to the practice of responsible AI by design, guided by a core set of principles: fairness, reliability and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency and accountability. We prioritize safety in AI products, exceeding privacy laws and implementing robust security measures. We actively advocate for regulations to ensure safe and ethical use of AI, particularly high-impact systems like facial recognition. The EU AI Act reflects this focus on risk-based regulation, with stricter scrutiny for higher-risk applications.
Open dialogue between tech companies, governments, and civil society is critical. This ongoing communication ensures governance adapts to the rapid pace of AI development, safeguarding individuals while maximizing the benefits of this technology. We encourage sharing knowledge with policymakers, researchers, and developers to promote ethical AI development and participation in broader societal discussions.
The AI Act divides smart algorithms into different categories according to the degree of risk. There are also algorithms with an “unacceptable”risk level and they will be banned completely – does the EU regulation provide a good framework?
Microsoft strongly supports EU’s endeavor to regulate AI – as a first legislative frame in the world regulating artificial intelligence, the AI Act established a model for guiding and regulating AI. Its aim is to balance innovation with safety and ethical considerations. Generally, The AI Act categorizes AI systems into four risk levels: minimal risk, specific transparency risk, high risk and unacceptable risk. Unacceptable risk includes AI systems that pose a clear threat to fundamental rights, and that is why they are banned. It is in line with Act’s aim to ensure that AI systems are developed and used in a way that respects fundamental rights and ethical principles.
We believe that the AI Act provides good framework that addresses the potential risks of AI, while promoting innovation and trust. Like everything, regulations are also tested by time, so I believe that its practical application over time will show do some areas ask for a different regulative approach.
Can copyright be protected and how when we talk about free and creative professions in which AI finds its place?
Generative AI is raising new policy issues, highlighting the need to balance AI’s potential to spread knowledge and solve societal challenges with the protection of authors’ rights. It’s crucial that content for AI training isn’t monopolized by a few companies, which could stifle competition and innovation. Microsoft is committed to addressing copyright concerns through the Copilot Copyright Commitment, assuring customers that we’ll take legal responsibility for potential claims on AI-generated content. While we’re optimistic about AI’s benefits, we recognize the risks and are working with various stakeholders to protect creators and manage these challenges responsibly.
Author: Liliya Angelova